Patent GB-992966-A (GB)
Title: Adhesive tape applying machine
IPC: B65H35/00
Filed: 1961-12-27
Abstract: 992,966. Tape applying machines. KLEENSTIK PRODUCTS Inc. Dec. 27, 1961 [Jan. 3, 1961], No. 46318/61. Heading B8F. Relates to a machine for applying adhesive tape to sheet material and designed primarily for applying " spots " of tape 22, Fig. 5, of  selected length and spacing and which permits a plurality of laterally spaced tapes to be simultaneously applied as well as the application of continuous strips of tape. According to the invention the operation of the tape applying head and tape severing means is under the control of a rotatably mounted and readily exchangeable timing disc and when the leading edge of a sheet of material passes over a switch actuating means, the disc is rotated from a given reference position at a fixed speed. The disc carries a number of spaced timing points and actuating means responsive to the passage of these points operates the tape applying and severing means so as to apply " spots " of tape to the sheet passing through the machine. As shown in Fig. 1, a frame structure 2 supports a sheet feed table 4 with side walls 6, 8 and a housing 10 containing the control mechanisms for the tape applying and severing devices surmounted by a control panel 12. Adjustably supported above the table 4 are tape applying units 14 each comprising a tape. applying head 16, Fig. 7, and a tape severing means 18. Associated with each unit 14 is a pivot stand 20 carrying a roll 21 of adhesive transfer tape 22 to be applied to a sheet of material 24 fed over the table 4. The units 14 are adjustably mounted upon a horizontal support bar 23. Both the tape applying head 16 and severing means 18 of each unit 14 are operated by a common drive shaft 25 and gear 26 and electrically controlled drive mechanism located in the housing 10 drives the shaft 25 under the control of switch mechanism including a toggle switch 27 on the panel 12, which determines whether the tape is applied in a continuous strip form or the spotted form shown in Fig. 5. Switch actuating arms 29, 29<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 16, extend above the level of the table 4 so as to be respectively actuated by the leading and trailing edges of the sheet 24 passing through the machine, the arms being longitudinally spaced such that when the leading edge of a sheet passes over both the arms, the machine begins a stripping or spotting operation and when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the rearmost arm 29<SP>1</SP>, the operation is terminated. The position and spacing of the switch arms 29, 29<SP>1</SP> are adjustable so that the timing of the movement of the tape applying heads 16 and severing means 18 can be adjusted. The tape applying head 16 of each unit is mounted for movement between a raised position shown in Fig. 7 and a lower position where the tape 22 is applied to a tape feeding roller 32 between which and a roller 38, the tape and sheet are fed for adherence together. The sheets are fed across the table 4 underneath a guide plate 41 by rollers 34, 45, the plate 41 serving to prevent creasing or bowing of the sheets. The timing disc 57, Fig. 6, has scale markings. 58 calibrated in length units representing different positions along the length of the sheet from the leading edge thereof and is mounted for rotation relative to a resilient switch actuating arm 59, Fig. 14B. The disc is formed with peripheral slots (not shown in Fig. 6) between the markings identifying the points on the sheet between which the tape is to be applied, and the arm 59 is spring urged against the peripheral portion of the disc when a spotting operation is to be effected. When a slot is reached, the arm springs through the slot to actuate a circuit which lowers the tape applying heads 16 to initiate a tape applying operation. On reaching the end of a slot, the switch arm 59 rides over the disc and a tape severing operation is initiated to terminate the tape applying operation. The disc 57, Fig. 12, is mounted on a wheel assembly 400 rotated through gearing 77 from an electric motor to which the main drive shaft 25 is also coupled. The wheel assembly 400 is driven via a clutch mechanism operated by a bar mounted at one end of an armature extension of a solenoid 430, which on being energized couples the wheel assembly 400 for rotation. The switch actuating member 59 is connected by a rod 470 to the armature of the solenoid 430 and when the latter is deenergized, the member 59 is spaced rearwardly from the surface of the timing disc 57. On energization of the solenoid 430, the member 59 is urged against the timing disc in readiness for a spotting operation which is initiated when the sheet depresses the switch actuating arms 29, 29<SP>1</SP>. The tape applying head 16, Figs. 7, 18B comprises a sheet metal body 243 of substantially channel form through which the tape passes and is provided with means, Figs. 20-24 (not shown) for taking tapes of different widths. A pinch lamp 280 serves to hold the tape to the head 16 during its downward movement and during severing of the tape. The head 16 is secured to the end of an arm 292 pivoted at 294 and urged downwardly by a spring 295, the arm 292 being moved upwardly by an eccentrically mounted roller 303. The tape severing means 18 comprises a knife blade 310 on an arm 316 pivoted at 318 and urged downwardly by a spring. During downward movement of the head 16, the arm 316 is raised and latched and is then released during upward movement of the tape head 16 to sever the tape between the head 16 and the tape feed and applying roller 32. All these operations are effected from the common drive shaft 25 which is driven by a partial revolution escapement mechanism which rotates the shaft ¢ revolution when tape applying is effected and then drives the shaft to complete the revolution when tape severing is effected. The taped sheets of material are delivered to a collecting bin 9, Fig. 1, which can be adjusted to various angular positions and blower units 650, Fig. 7, are mounted beneath the feed table 4 to facilitate entry of the sheets into the bin. Specification 853,435 is referred to.